Russia Launches Large-Scale Drone and Missile Attack on Ukrainian Cities Amid Diplomatic Talks
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on multiple Ukrainian cities using more than 600 drones and 30 missiles, according to Ukrainian reports. The assault targeted energy and transport infrastructure and marked the ninth major attack on Ukraine's energy system this year. Emergency power shutdowns occurred across several regions, with power supply nearly lost in Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytsky areas.
Casualties include at least three people killed: a four-year-old child in the Zhytomyr region, a 76-year-old woman in the Kyiv region, and a 72-year-old in Khmelnytskyy region. Several others were injured. In response to the attacks targeting western Ukraine, Polish fighter jets were scrambled.
Russia's defence ministry stated it targeted energy facilities and transport infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukraine reportedly struck a petrochemical plant in Stravropol, Russia, where flames were observed but no casualties reported.
In a separate incident, Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, head of the armed forces' operational training department, was killed in a car bomb in Moscow. Russia has blamed Ukraine for the explosion, though Kyiv has not commented.
Diplomatic efforts continue with talks held in Miami where the US and Kyiv are drafting proposals to end the war. Washington proposed a Christmas truce, which Russia has rejected. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to be briefed by Kirill Dmitriev on the latest discussions.
These attacks occurred amidst ongoing attention on the strategic port city of Odesa and a Russian threat to cut Ukraine's access to the Black Sea in retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian tankers.
